Covid-19 - Suspend Chess Immediately

[Matt Mackenzie]

Barrow was a lot quieter than usual yesterday.

[raycollett]

Japan Today also reports 16-3-20

TOKYO The Japanese government is considering postponing Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's planned state visit to Britain this spring due to the spread of the new coronavirus, a source familiar with the matter said Monday.

[David Sedgwick]

I am now listening to The World At One on the BBC, whose presenter, working from home, speaks of "empty residential streets". This morning my buses were full, the shops were full and the roads were busy. I wonder where BBC people live - perhaps gated communities in Kensington are different?

My experience is closer to that of the BBC presenter than to yours. I first noticed that normally full pubs were half empty on Thursday 5th March. By yesterday they were about 80% empty.

[Roger de Coverly]

Well done - interestingly, the supermarkets I've seen seemed to have loads of booze, although not toilet rolls, flour, pasta or eggs (which puzzled me as well).

Yesterday, as well as eggs and the other usual unobtainables, the big packs of lager had mostly sold out. Bread still plentiful, but it does make some on the premises. Bottled water was looking a bit low.

[Matt Bridgeman]

Lancaster University Sports Centre was a ghost town this morning, and looking on the university website they’ve suspended (a least in the short term) all classroom based teaching. The cinema chains and theatres are all closing their doors one by one. It seems only the schools are really lagging behind. My daughter tells me all years 7 and above are getting primed to have all lessons transferred to Moodle, which is an online teaching platform. The schools are just waiting for the nod really.

[NickFaulks]

My experience is closer to that of the BBC presenter than to yours. I first noticed that normally full pubs were half empty on Thursday 5th March. By yesterday they were about 80% empty.

I agree that pubs are emptier, not least because the govt has told people they should be avoided. What I have not seen around London is empty streets or public transport.

[Tim Spanton]

Central London eerily empty right now. Not as quiet as a Christmas Day afternoon, but not far off. I was the only customer in my local Joe & The Juice for much of this morning, and I am the only customer right now in Bar Polski, Holborn.

[Tim Spanton]

From M.D. in next Friday's Private Eye:
"The hand-washing campaign at least has been a roaring success. Early figures suggest it may have delayed the surge of Covid-19, and is likely to have reduced the incidence of seasonal influenza, food poisoning, hepatitis A, threadworm and pubic hair in Caesar salad."
M.D. adds: "Evidence suggest that if you're fearful and anxious when and after you contact a virus, it makes the symptoms and long-term sequelae worse. And the UK is currently bingeing on fear."

[Nick Grey]

London Lock Down Measures Tim so hope you are home. I'm having to self isolate for 12 WEEKS By working from home wif 18/3.

[Nick Grey]

Shut offices today. Schools close Friday. Noted a church close couple hours chat tea coffee 19/3.

[Syringa Camp]

British is cancelled
https://twitter.com/ecfchess/status/124 ... 66080?s=21